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Jiang Nan struggled to keep up with Yu Chi. He was still fuming over how Yu Chi had embarrassed him in front of Sheng Li earlier, but considering that Yu Chi had voluntarily joined the drama production, Jiang Nan tried to sound reasonable: “Our relationship hasn’t been great these past few years, but now that you’ve joined the production and I’m your agent, whether you like it or not, we still have six years left on our contract. Can’t we at least keep up appearances?”
Yu Chi didn’t slow his pace as he sneered, “My joining the production is my own business. Just focus on doing what you’re supposed to do.”
For years, Jiang Nan had never received a friendly look from Yu Chi. Now, he quickly stepped in front of him, threatening, “I thought you’d come around by joining the production, but you’re still being so stubborn. Don’t forget, it’s not just you who has a contract—Xu Yang also signed with me for five years. You may be tough, refusing to budge no matter what, and even capable of hurting yourself to get the crew to reject you, but there’s nothing much I can do about that. However, Xu Yang is different. His personality is easier to handle—he’s a singer and dancer. Young idols are different from actors; they rely on their youth. If he waits until his five-year contract ends, he’ll be 23. If he doesn’t make it by then, it’ll be even harder later.”
Jiang Nan assumed that Yu Chi had gone for the audition because of Xu Yang, feeling smug that Xu Yang had been persuaded to sign with him.
Yu Chi gave him a cold stare, mocking, “You gave my mother 300,000 yuan back then, and you haven’t made a single penny off me since. Do you feel like you got a raw deal?”
That comment hit a sore spot for Jiang Nan. He had gone through great lengths to spend 300,000 yuan signing Yu Chi, only to gain nothing in return. In the years since, he hadn’t come across another talent with such good natural conditions. He hadn’t managed to promote anyone successfully, instead nurturing a few minor internet celebrities. Honestly, he didn’t act much like an agent—he was more like a pimp.
To be honest, every time he thought about Yu Chi, he felt a sense of regret.
This was a money tree!
Yu Chi scoffed, “Even my mother couldn’t make me submit. You think signing Xu Yang gives you the right to threaten me? What happens to him has nothing to do with me. As I said, my joining the production is my own decision. If you try any underhanded tactics, I can leave the production today. Since there’s no formal contract, there’s no compensation for you, and you’ll get nothing.”
Jiang Nan was speechless, “You...”
He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth, “Fine, you’re ruthless.”
________________________________________
In the lounge, Xu Yang had eaten some afternoon tea and couldn’t help but ask, “Sister, how did Yu Chi join the production?”
Sheng Li was still thinking about Yu Chi. Jiang Nan didn’t seem like a good person, and putting aside issues of character, he clearly wasn’t competent. She turned to Xu Yang, “Let’s hold that question for later. First, tell me, why did you sign with Starshine Entertainment?”
At this, Xu Yang deflated, feeling embarrassed, “My art exam scores weren’t very good. With my qualifications, there are plenty like me at the Beijing Film Academy—it’s hard to stand out. Jiang Nan said that although their company is small and hasn’t promoted any big names, if I signed, he would put all his effort into promoting me.” Facing Sheng Li, a popular female star, he hesitated, “I was a bit desperate at the time. Jiang Nan said he had connections with a high-level executive at Huayu Entertainment, claiming that Starshine would soon be affiliated with them, which could secure some resources. So I believed him.”
Huayu Entertainment was Sheng Li’s agency, one of the industry’s three giants, with strong backing and good resources. Many artist studios were affiliated with Huayu. She asked, “Which executive?”
Xu Yang replied, “His surname is Gao, but I don’t know his full name.”
There was only one high-level executive with the surname Gao at Huayu. Sheng Li immediately knew who he was—the man was already fifty, with not much ability but quite lecherous, interested in both men and women. What kind of relationship could Jiang Nan have with that executive? Most likely, he had acted as a pimp!
Seeing Xu Yang looking dejected, Sheng Li felt a bit sorry for him. She smiled and consoled him, “Don’t be discouraged. Sister will tell you, sometimes in this circle, strength isn’t the most important thing—luck matters too. High art exam scores don’t mean much; it’s just one test. Look at you—you’re sunny and handsome, with a good personality. Fans love guys like you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Chi walked in, crossing the threshold.
Their eyes met.
Yu Chi expressionlessly shifted his gaze away.
Did she think of herself as a savior? Comforting one person wasn’t enough, so she had to rescue another poor soul?
Sheng Li felt a strange sense of guilt, as if she’d been caught flirting outside by her real boyfriend. Yet Xu Yang, the obedient boy, gratefully said, “Thank you, Sister. You’re so kind.”
Sheng Li: “...”
She glanced at Yu Chi sitting opposite her and noticed his increasingly cold expression. Turning back to Xu Yang, she smiled, “You’re Yu Chi’s classmate and my junior. A few words of encouragement aren’t much help.”
She looked at Yu Chi, raising an eyebrow, “Have you signed your contract? That was quick. Where’s your agent?”
Yu Chi’s expression remained indifferent, “Signing a contract doesn’t take long. What else can he do besides trying to suck up to the director and producer?”
Xu Yang turned to ask him, “How did you join the production?”
Yu Chi casually replied, “Audition.”
“We’ve known each other for three years, sat together for two. You didn’t say anything at all?” Xu Yang was still annoyed at Yu Chi’s deliberate concealment. “If we hadn’t signed with the same agent, would I have found out about your acting from TV, along with Hu Yipang and the others?”
Yu Chi leaned back casually against the chair. Still in costume, his indifferent expression betrayed impatience. The rebellious energy in his eyebrows and eyes couldn’t be contained, making his entire demeanor exceptionally cold. Yet his good looks made it hard to look away.
After staring at him for a while, Sheng Li picked up her phone and snapped a picture.
“Click.”
Oops, she forgot to turn off the sound.
Yu Chi raised his eyes to look at her. Sheng Li remained unfazed and took another quick shot.
“Click.”
Satisfied, Sheng Li put down her phone and looked seriously at Yu Chi, “What if I post a tweet right now, saying there’s a handsome younger brother in the same production, giving your classmates and teachers a heads-up?”
A popular female star willingly creating buzz for someone? What a huge opportunity!
Xu Yang looked at Yu Chi in surprise, wondering when he had become so close to the goddess. Sheng Li had always been known as “Sheng Bai Xue.” Although she had been involved in many scandals over the years, most were CP promotions from her dramas. Being highly popular, many male artists sought to ride her coattails, but the only male artist truly associated with her was Lu Xingyu.
Yu Chi gave her a look as if to say, “Are you crazy?” Sheng Li had never posted a photo of any male artist on Weibo before. If she actually posted this, the consequences would be obvious. Even if he wanted to become famous, he didn’t want to do so by riding her popularity. Having decided to enter this industry, he knew exactly what he wanted. Even if circumstances forced his hand, he wanted to hold onto what he could control.
He mocked himself, “Forget it, I don’t want to be hounded by paparazzi every day.”
Sheng Li looked at him, nodding seriously, “You’re right. Being watched... makes some things inconvenient.”
Yu Chi: “...”
Xu Yang completely missed the underlying tension between them, not daring to think along those lines. After all, Sheng Li was extremely popular. It was unrealistic for her to date an unknown, penniless eighteen-year-old.
He just felt a bit sorry for Yu Chi, letting go of such a good opportunity.
In the afternoon, when Sheng Li went to shoot, Xu Yang seized the chance to ask, “Are you really entering this industry?”
Yu Chi: “Mm.”
“What about university? Why didn’t you take the art exam with me back then? I remember you once said you’d chosen Tsinghua’s computer science major. When you get busy, how will you manage to attend events?” Xu Yang coughed slightly, mentioning events, “Although we don’t know if you’ll get any offers, given how terrible the company is, you’re handsome. Once the drama airs, you’ll definitely have many opportunities.”
“That was just something I said casually back then,” Yu Chi’s tone was light. “I applied to Peking University for Dramatic Literature and Film Studies.”
Xu Yang was momentarily stunned, then laughed, “That major doesn’t require an art exam, and it’s related to film. That’s pretty good.”
Yu Chi neither agreed nor disagreed. Seeing Jiang Nan approaching them, his expression turned cold.
Jiang Nan hurried over, “I just asked. You’re not staying at the hotel, so where are you staying now?”
“Where I stay is none of your business, as long as it doesn’t affect my filming.” Naturally, Yu Chi wouldn’t tell him the address. Earlier, the staff had already asked if he wanted to move to the hotel booked by the production team, claiming it was closer, but he refused.
Jiang Nan was counting on him to make money, so even though he wanted to lash out, he had to restrain himself. “Everyone else has an assistant or agent with them. I...”
Yu Chi coldly interrupted him, “If you’re here watching, I won’t be able to perform.”
Jiang Nan: “...”
Yu Chi: “And I don’t need you to find me an assistant.”
It was obvious—an assistant provided by Jiang Nan would be no different from surveillance.
Thus, after the night’s filming began, after Yu Chi failed to complete a scene ten times in a row, Jiang Nan angrily stormed off, taking Xu Yang with him.
After they left, Yu Chi was silent for a few seconds before apologizing to Director Liu, who was equally frustrated, “Sorry, Director Liu. Let me try again.”
His emotions were affected, and even after two more tries, it still didn’t work.
Director Liu, remembering Yu Chi’s previous good performance, didn’t press too hard. He waved his hand impatiently, “Take a break and adjust your state.” Then he called out to Wei Cheng and Sheng Li, “Let’s film your scene first.”
Sheng Li let out a soft sound, her gaze lingering on Yu Chi’s retreating figure for a few seconds before absentmindedly pulling her gaze back, “Alright.”
Yu Chi’s condition tonight wasn’t good, and anyone could see it. But only she knew the reason—Jiang Nan’s presence earlier had affected him. She was worried about Yu Chi and couldn’t fully immerse herself in her performance, failing several times before finally succeeding.
By the time they finished filming that scene, it was nearly 10:30 PM.
According to the plan, they were supposed to continue filming Yu Chi’s scene next. However, Director Liu picked up the megaphone, “Let’s call it a night. The production team will treat everyone to late-night snacks.”
Everyone cheered, “Wow! Great!”
Someone shouted, “Finally, the production team is treating us to late-night snacks! Director, can we have crayfish?”
“Of course! Order whatever you want. There’s a barbecue place just ahead at the intersection, a bit far. Everyone can carpool there.” Director Liu smiled as he put down the megaphone, glancing at Yu Chi waiting on the side, half-jokingly, half-seriously, “This meal is on you. Not staying at the hotel saved some expenses.”
Sheng Li didn’t know that Yu Chi had declined to stay at the hotel, so she felt a bit unhappy. Why didn’t he stay at the hotel? It would have been so convenient for secret rendezvous! Though, it’s true, it would be easy to get caught. She glanced at Yu Chi and deliberately asked, “So, little brother Yu Chi, where are you staying? Is it convenient to come to the set?”
Yu Chi calmly glanced at her and softly replied, “I rented a place nearby. It’s convenient.”
Sheng Li inwardly humphed, turning to Director Liu and teasing, “Director, it’s not just saving on hotel costs, right? The production team shouldn’t be stingy—treat us more often!”
Yu Chi, being new, cheap, and not staying at a hotel, indeed saved the production team a lot of money.
Director Liu burst out laughing, “Alright, alright.”
________________________________________
Half an hour later, Sheng Li opened the car door and saw Yu Chi lazily leaning against the back seat.
She sat beside him, and Yu Chi looked down at her.
Their eyes met for three seconds. Suddenly, Sheng Li reached out to hug his waist, feeling him up like a bold woman.
Yu Chi: “...”
The driver and Yuan Yuan were still in the front. He hadn’t expected her to be so bold. His body stiffened slightly, and unable to bear it, he pressed down on her hand. Sheng Li, having her hand pressed, chuckled softly and whispered, “Little Yu Chi, do you have abs?”
Yu Chi’s hands, often used for playing ball and typing, had calluses on the fingertips, but his palms were warm and dry. Sheng Li’s hand was soft and boneless, her skin smooth and delicate. The car slowly moved forward, the interior dimly lit. Yu Chi’s hand firmly pressed on the back of hers, resting against his abdomen. Their intertwined hands rose and fell gently with each breath.
He swallowed lightly, turning his head to look out the window, his tone helpless, “Why are you so lustful?”
Sheng Li’s hand, pressing through the thin layer of T-shirt fabric against Yu Chi’s abdomen, felt firm and taut. The young man’s body temperature was higher than average, and she could even feel the heat radiating through her palm, her heart pounding rapidly.
She admitted that she liked Yu Chi’s appearance, physique, and aura. Called lustful by him, she couldn’t deny it, though she felt her face heating up.
Fortunately, the car’s interior was dimly lit, and no one saw.
“I remember you have a scene tomorrow night where you’ll show your upper body,” Sheng Li rested her head against his chest, murmuring softly, “I was just thinking, I haven’t even seen my boyfriend’s body yet. Tomorrow, the production team will see it first. It feels like a loss.”
Yu Chi was silent for a few seconds before asking softly, “Then what do you want to do?”
Sheng Li’s voice was soft, but her tone was domineering, “My person, of course, should be seen by me first.”
Yu Chi squeezed her hand tightly, lazily chuckling above her head, “Alright, then, Sister, come home with me tonight.”
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